O’Brien and his deputies Elizabeth Tavares and William Burke III allegedly ran a corrupt hiring scheme at the department. Testimony in the trial began May 8, and 60 witnesses testified over 35 days.

The defendants are accused of running the department like a criminal enterprise, handing out jobs to the friends of state legislators in exchange for favors. They face charges including mail fraud, racketeering, and racketeering conspiracy.

The defense has argued that their clients were simply practicing political patronage, which is legal.